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LaDonna Harris: Indian 101

April 11, 4pm

All are invited to a free screening of the new documentary LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 by Comanche filmmaker Julianna Brannum, followed by Q & A with Brannum. Film showing and Q & A: tomorrow, Thursday, April 11, 4:00 p.m., Olin 105, Southwestern University (the first campus to screen the film!).

“LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 is a documentary film about Comanche activist LaDonna Harris, who led an extensive life of Native political and social activism and is now passing on her traditional cultural and leadership values to a new generation of emerging Indigenous leaders around the world.Harris’ efforts as a trailblazer began when President Lyndon Johnson assigned her to educate the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government on the unique role of American Indian tribes and their relationship with the federal government. This course was affectionately called “Indian 101” and was taught to members of Congress and other federal agencies for over 35 years.In addition to her work in civil rights, world peace, the environment and women’s rights, Harris is best known for introducing landmark legislation that set the tone for greater civil rights in the U.S,, including land return claims to the Taos Pueblo Tribe and native tribes of Alaska and returning federal recognition to the Menominee Tribe.

Held in the highest regard by her colleagues for countless social and historic achievements, Harris is now passing her knowledge to a new generation of emerging Indigenous leaders not just in the U.S. but all over the globe. Her latest offering is a cutting-edge program that trains Native professionals to incorporate their own tribes’ traditional values and perspectives into their work while building a global Indigenous coalition. LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 explores Harris’ achievements, the personal struggles that led her to become a voice for Native people and her contemporary work to reshape Indian Country in America and abroad.”

Special thanks to Communication Studies, SU Native, Paideia, Feminist Studies, Sociology and Anthropology, Political Science, and Social Science Division.